Focus Sculpture Unveiled at Dedication Ceremony

On August 18, "Focus," the new freeform, rainbow-colored sculpture that greets visitors near the front entrance to Cal State San Marcos, was unveiled in a dedication ceremony. The sculpture is the work of local artist Robert Freeman. The project was sponsored by an anonymous donor.

Those who have studied the piece say they see a variety of objects including a toucan, a rabbit, even a couple of dancers. But Freeman maintains the work is not intended to represent anything in particular.

"Everything in mainstream culture calls for logic, meaning, purpose and precision. But this is beyond that," he says. "There’s no message here. I’m not trying to say anything. I’d like everyone to interpret it in their own way."

Born on the Rincon Reservation in San Diego County, Freeman’s roots include Luiseño and Sioux as well as English and French. Although he never attended art school, his artistic interests developed as a child growing up in a poor neighborhood of government housing in Vallejo, Calif.

Freeman’s work encompasses realism, abstractionism, cubism, impressionism, portraiture, cartoons and murals. He has won numerous National Indian Art Awards in oil painting, watercolor, pen and ink, and sculpture. His public works include a commemorative Seal for the State of California embedded on the Capital steps in Sacramento, murals at the Perris Museum in Perris, California, as well as sculptures in Capistrano and Santa Fe Springs. His artwork has been exhibited at the Riverside Museum; University of Vermillion, SD; Shriver Gallery, Kansas City; and Sioux Museum, Rapid City, IA.

Last year, the university commissioned to create a sculpture of the mascot in recognition of the university’s connection with the Native communities. Tukwut will be unveiled on September 2nd during University Hour.

"Everything in mainstream culture calls for logic, meaning, purpose and precision. But this is beyond that."